Glasgow living wage

UNITE general union welcomed the decision by Glasgow city council to pay local authority workers a minimum of £7 an hour to tackle low pay across the city. The new pay rate will come into force on 1 April and will affect almost 700 workers, at a cost of £1.2 million. Salaries for the lowest paid will increase by over £1,000 a year.

Jimmy Farrelly, Unite senior regional officer, said: “The new £7 per hour minimum … vindicates our belief that low pay is a serious issue across all Scottish local authorities. Unite now urges all other Scottish local authorities to follow Glasgow’s lead.”

Glasgow city council is also encouraging all its suppliers to pay staff working on local authority business at least the same minimum. A Glasgow Living Wage Employer Award is being developed to encourage wider uptake.